‘They’re protecting Biden’: Donald Trump refuses to participate in ‘ridiculous’ virtual debate with Joe Biden

US President Donald Trump says he will not participate in a virtual debate with Democratic rival Joe Biden after organisers announced the candidates would face off next week “from separate remote locations” due to COVID-19 fears.

In the wake of Mr Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis last week, the Commission on Presidential Debates revealed Thursday night that “in order to protect the health and safety of all involved with the second presidential debate” — scheduled for October 15 in Miami, Florida — the debate would be virtual.

The second debate had been planned so a live audience could ask questions of the candidates.

Mr Trump hit back immediately at the decision, labelling it “not acceptable” and an attempt to “protect” Mr Biden.

“I hear that the commission a little while ago changed the debate style — and that’s not acceptable to us,” Mr Trump told Fox News.

“No, I’m not going to waste my time on a virtual debate.

“That’s not what debating is all about, you sit behind a computer and do a debate, it’s ridiculous. They are trying to protect Biden, everyone is.”

In a statement, the Commission on Presidential Debates said: “The second presidential debate will take the form of a town meeting, in which the candidates would participate from separate remote locations.”

“The town meeting participants and the moderator, Steve Scully, Senior Executive Producer and Political Editor, C-SPAN Networks, will be located at the Adrienne Arsht Centre for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Miami, Florida. The White House Pool will provide coverage of the second presidential debate.”